The Biopsychosocial model, Health and Medical Practice

The biopsychosocial model (BPSM)
The BPSM is a holistic approach considering one’s health through their physical (biological), Psychological (psycho) and social factors. The traditional biomedical model used in medical practise – taking into account one’s health only regarding physical well-being through genetics and biology, was expanded by Doctor George Engel in 1977 who stated: “We are now faced with the necessity and the challenge to broaden the approach to disease to include the psychosocial without sacrificing the enormous advantages of the biomedical approach”. He alongside others found the biomedical model a reductionist in nature – narrowing down one’s well-being merely to genetics, ignoring the significant influence of psychology and society on an individual.  The BPSM argues psychological factors - behaviour, cognitive process and emotions, and social factors - cultural, support, economic background (etc…) has an influence on health and illness.

This model allows doctors and healthcare professionals to expand their understanding and compassion in diagnosing patients, exploring greater avenues of an individual’s lifestyle. Furthermore, it enables doctors to gather a holistic approach towards an individual’s condition and propose treatments that result in overall better quality of life, rather than treating a person simply as a patient, with a disease prevents normal functioning.

Role in Medical Practise – dealing with the Broken Mind, before the Broken bone
Many modern illness (e.g. cancer, heart disease…) causes has been discovered to be associated with psychological and social factors. 30% of cancers have been linked to tobacco use.  Coronary heart disease is increased by health factors such as hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol and type A personality traits (type A and type B personality theory). Using the BPSM, interventions can be implanted to change a person’s lifestyle. E.g. an excessive alcoholic or smoker with cardiac problems, to reduce the risky behaviour or type 2 diabetes, patient with lack of physical activity, cognition's regarding the behaviour has to be altered. Doctors may refer a patient to CBT – cognitive behavioural therapy to tackle the underlying problem that causes the risk induced behaviour, or in the case of type 2 diabetes, encourage patients to joins clubs or society’s which undertake physical activity.  GP’s and doctors would be able to apply to psychological techniques that would intervene with a person’s lifestyle allowing them to improve their health, prior to starting treatment.

World Health Organisation (WHO), 1986 -
“Health is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capabilities.”


Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s post, By Universal Medicine Team (Mathew George)

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